There are so many blogs written by moms in the blog-u-verse, that it doesn’t really seem there would be a need for yet one more. What could I possibly have to say that hasn’t already been said? Aren’t there a lot of really great mom blogs already, especially those that deal with homeschooling? I’m sharing my Top 5 Reasons for Starting a Mom Blog and why mom blogs have been important to me. By the time you finish this post, you may decide you want to start your own too!
Becoming a Mom
When I first became a mom, it was the winter of 2007. The world was a different place back then! I remember those months leading up to my delivery when I wanted to gain all the knowledge I could about pregnancy, birth, and nursing newborns. My primary pursuit of knowledge came through conversations with friends about their experiences in those areas, and through lots and lots of books (What to Expect When You’re Expecting, anyone?). I don’t recall reading much online at all.
Fast forward to 2015 with my last pregnancy.
There was a host of information to be had, with a laptop and fast internet at my fingertips. And not just information from one or two sources, but hundreds. The internet was an amazing resource of facts, opinions, experiences and information from all kinds of perspectives. Sometimes, overwhelming. But for the most part, I spent as much time gathering information as I wanted. I drew my own conclusions about everything from what I should look for in a midwife, to how cloth diapers had so awesomely improved. There didn’t seem to be any topic I couldn’t find.
The Impact of Mom Blogs
Here’s what I find to be true: mom blogs are important to moms! I dare say they are even vital. Mom blogs provide a sense of mentorship and experience-sharing that our moms and grandmothers might have only dreamed about. My grandmother may have only known about pregnancy and nursing from the other women in her circle of life. Their knowledge was her knowledge, and it was limited only to their experiences.
This is no longer true today with access to the internet, specifically mom blogs. True, online information can sometimes be overwhelming, at which point I have to take a step back and unplug for a while, but I would much rather have a wealth of information to glean from than a lack.
I love gathering information from different perspectives and experiences about topics that are important to me, and then processing that information to make informed decisions for myself. I know that other moms do too.
Additionally, I know the lessons I have learned and the experiences I’ve had might just relate to what another mom is going through. I want to be able to share that information freely. My hope is that this information will be just what you need, and ultimately make a difference in your life, be it large or small.
It is this overarching desire that birthed Holistic Homeschool Mom.
My Top 5 Reasons for Starting a Mom Blog
1-Help Moms Homeschool
If you are new to homeschooling, there is a definite learning curve. When I was first getting started I didn’t know where to begin except by asking another mom at church. She had one year of homeschooling under her belt, but she was also homeschooled growing up. Talking with her helped me understand where I might get started, and what the main focal points of kindergarten might look like.
My kindergartener is now finishing his first year of middle school. I have used various books, techniques and curriculums and want to relay to you the pros and cons of each, along with my best recommendations. You can be homeschooling with confidence in just a few easy steps. I also look forward to sharing with you the keys that have made our homeschool successful while maintaining simplicity.
2-Encourage And Guide
I believe it’s vital that moms encourage and guide other moms. We live in a time where we all need a little encouragement, yes? Life can be tough and discouraging. We can feel out of touch and isolated. Moms need to be community for other moms and remember that we are all in this together.
My most encouraging moments in life have primarily come from other moms that I consider to be older and wiser than me, and are farther along in the journey. I hope to instill within you the confidence needed to start homeschooling, continue homeschooling, make changes to your homeschool if need be, and touch on topics that will lead you to greater overall wellness as a mom.
3-Share My Holistic Health Journey
My health problems really came to fruition in 2000, when after several months of not feeling well and having odd symptoms, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After months of chemotherapy and radiation, I was eventually declared to be cancer free, and have been cancer free for two decades now.
Yes!!
While that was a process of healing pretty much prescribed for me by my physicians, I have been on a personal journey over the last two decades that has included trying different diets to eliminate digestive distress. I have also struggled with neck pain, perimenopausal symptoms, and chronic sleep issues. I’ve gained significant ground in the treatment of these issues, alongside the assistance and advice of a naturopath and functional medicine chiropractor.
Compounding my physical symptoms have been struggles to maintain a healthy mind and soul in the midst of challenging family transitions that have tried and tested me to the core. Where are you in your journey to health and healing the whole you? I want to share what has worked for me, and the progress I have gained in hopes that you might see some light at the end of the tunnel.
4-Create And Learn
Truth be told, this blog gives me a chance to fulfill my inner need to create something of value and learn something new along the way. For years, I have enjoyed other hobbies that have allowed me some creative space: scrapbooking, baking, cooking, and card making.
Within the past few years, homeschooling has also afforded me a large berth with which to create a wonderful and rich learning environment for my children. I have loved learning along with them! However, I felt ready to venture into something new. Learning a new craft fulfills my desire to learn AND to create-all rolled into one.
5-Do Hard Things
Be brave. Do something difficult. Take a risk, even if it means failing. I want my kids to do these things. But wait, don’t I want this for myself too? Don’t I want to be a woman who is brave and willing to step up to a new task, even if that task seems so hard I feel tired before I start? Don’t I want to be a mom who is willing to take a risk in life, even if I might fail? Maybe it’s something simple like trying a new recipe for dinner. Or something major like starting to homeschool? Or for me, starting a blog. All the typical doubts are there nagging me:
Where will you find the time to do this? What you have to say isn’t important. You’re really not even that great of a writer.
Doubts, fears, failures, and voices of discouragement try drown out these dreams. Best way to conquer that? Do something hard. Just jump in, and at least say you tried. Maybe you fail and fail miserably at that, but you tried. If you haven’t watched this yet, I recommend The Call to Courage by Brene Brown on Netflix. She speaks to these very things. Inspiring!
Perhaps you have always wanted to start a blog. Maybe these reasons will inspire you to get started as well. Is there something you’ve wanted to embark upon? Something hard that has been staring you in the face, but you haven’t been willing to jump in for fear of failing?
Now might just be the right time to kick your fear in the pants and dive in!
